Tarnish

All silver (even the Queen's) will tarnish when exposed to sulphur
compounds.

Tarnish is the formation of silver sulphide and is
caused when the silver comes into contact with sulphur compounds. This
can be through contact with hydrogen sulphide in the air caused by car
exhaust or industrial pollution.

More commonly tarnishing occurs
when silver comes into contact with the sulphur compounds that are found
in these foods and everyday items: garlic, eggs, cabbage, mustard,
broccoli, asparagus, ammonia, wool, latex, rubber bands, perfumes, hair
sprays, onions, body oils and many cosmetic lotions.

People who
eat foods containing sulphur will release sulphur compounds in their
perspiration. These sulphur compounds will then react with any silver
jewellery they are wearing and tarnishing will start to occur.
Tarnishing also occurs more rapidly in humid climates and in areas with
higher UV radiation from the sun.

Moral of the story? Don't eat
lots of garlic and then go out in strong sunlight on a humid day and
sweat!

Often people who perspire readily
and eat a diet rich in sulphur will complain about how often their
jewellery needs to be polished and are quick to blame the jewellery as
being low quality.

It is always best to put on your jewellery after using any cosmetics,
perfumes, lotions and so forth.